Registration underway for YMCA’s Girls on the Run, STRIDE programs

WEST CHESTER >> Time to get the kids’ sneakers ready! Registration is underway until March 10, with late registrations accepted until March 15, for the spring season of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s Girls on the Run and STRIDE programs.

The season runs from March 11-May 31, with participants meeting two times a week to prepare for the big 5K Celebration, scheduled for June 1.

Girls on the Run leverages the power of running to help prepare girls, in grades three through eight, for a lifetime of selfrespect and healthy living. The 10-week program, during which participants meet twice a week for 90 minutes, focuses on building self-esteem and improving physical health. Through interactive activities such as playing games and discussing important issues, in addition to running, participants celebrate being girls. Each session is led by trained volunteer coaches.

At the end of the 10 weeks, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5K running event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The results – making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can.

“The program helped build up my daughter’s self-esteem,” says Katie, a parent of a GOTR participant. “She is never left out and the girls are so supportive. We noticed a difference in her last year! We are so grateful for this program.”

Register now at www. ymcagbw.org/GOTR.

STRIDE, developed by the YMCA of Greater Brandywine in 2010, stands for Success + Teamwork + Respect + Inspiration + Determination = Excellence in Character. The program, for boys in grades three through eight, uses the power of running to help prepare them for a lifetime of strong character and healthy living.

The 10-week program, led by trained volunteer coaches, uses activities such as playing games and discussing important issues, in addition to running, to help participants learn how to make good choices as they mature into young adults. The boys and their buddies wrap up the program by completing a 5K running event.

“Thank you so much to all the coaches,” says Rose, a parent of a STRIDE participant. “Most importantly, thank you for the non-running related lessons you have taught the boys – pushing yourself and never giving up, being a good teammate, being proud of your hard work, what it means to be a good person … the list goes on and on. These life lessons will carry them well beyond STRIDE.”

Register now at www. ymcagbw.org/STRIDE.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is always looking for strong candidates to become volunteer coaches for these rewarding programs. Find out more about volunteering for GOTR or STRIDE.